Every day, we see the devastating effects of the housing crisis in our communities and we are excited to share a new housing report that highlights tangible steps to address it
With the support of United Ways across Ontario, United Way Greater Toronto has joined with the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada and SHS Consulting to launch the Built for Good: Delivering the Housing Ontario Needs report. This report provides data-driven insights on the current state of housing in Ontario and shares actionable policy recommendations to help ensure more Ontarians have a safe, stable place to call home.
The Built for Good report includes a costed, delivery-ready plan to address a critical part of Ontario’s housing crisis—by investing in the non-profit and co-op housing sector to build, protect and sustain the affordable housing people need.
We know that the provincial government cannot hit its target of 1.5 million new homes without building homes for people the private market leaves behind, such as seniors, essential workers, newcomers, and low-income families. The analysis presented in Built for Good shows that a different way is not only possible but essential for Ontario’s prosperity.
Through engagements and existing research, we were able to identify three major themes that emerged around the need for transformation of our system:
A Tangible Shift towards Non-Profit and Co-op Housing: We need to move beyond our reliance on the private market to achieve real affordability.
Scaling the Non-profit and Co-op Housing Sector: With the necessary investments behind it, the non-profit and co-op housing sector can realize its full potential by scaling up and building its capacity.
Government Leadership, Coordination, and Accountability: To make real progress, Ontario must clarify the role and relationships between governments and their various ministries and mandates. This is necessary for non-profit and co-op housing providers, as well as other actors in the system to contribute to their fullest.
Key findings from Built for Good
Targets
Create 805,000 deeply affordable housing units for households with low incomes. This includes:
- 255,000 newly created units and 550,000 new portable housing benefits
- 97,000 supportive housing units
- 55,000 units for Indigenous households
Create 145,000 moderately affordable units for households with moderate incomes.
- includes 12,000 units for Indigenous households
Acquire, repair and maintain 225,000 units to prevent the further loss of affordable units. Includes:
- Acquisition of 80,000 naturally occurring affordable units
- Significant repair of 145,000 existing non-profit and co-op units
Topics : Advocacy in Action
